UK's first ever FoodSwitch App
SWITCH TO HEALTHIER FOOD AND DRINK CHOICES WITH UK’S FIRST EVER ‘FOODSWITCH’ APP
Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH), along with other UK researchers, have launched a new free and impartial Smartphone App, that will allow you to scan in your favourite food and drink products and see their nutritional values, plus healthier alternatives.
● App provides ‘at a glance’ colour coded nutrition information for over 80,000 products
● Allows customers to switch to healthier products based on established nutrition criteria.
● Developed by leading health experts and supported by 13 organisations
FoodSwitch allows users to scan the barcode of over 80,000 packaged food and drinks sold across major UK supermarkets using their smartphone camera to receive immediate, easy to understand ‘traffic light’ colour-coded nutritional information along with suggested similar, healthier products. It is now easier than ever for consumers to reduce high levels of fat, salt and sugar in their families’ diet.
When the barcode of a food or drink product is scanned by a smartphone, FoodSwitch instantly searches the database and identifies healthier products by comparing the overall nutritional value of the product to existing Government criteria. The overall nutritional rating takes into account a range of different factors important to general health including fats, sugars, salt, protein and fibre [Ref 1].
FoodSwitch gives customers the perfect opportunity to get to grips with what the labels mean, and to better understand what is in their food! The app colour codes each product by the content of four important nutrients - total fat, saturated fat (saturates), sugars and salt:
● Red – (high) try to choose products with less red circles.
● Amber – (amber) this choice is OK, but going for choices labelled green is better.
● Green – (low) the more green circles, the healthier the choice.
Katharine Jenner, Chief Executive of Blood Pressure UK and Director of CASH says: “FoodSwitch puts the shopper back in control. It is not about telling people to stop eating or avoid certain foods with red colours but rather highlighting differences in products. This new app will allow people to take responsibility for their individual and their family’s health, and improve their eating habits in an easy and fun way.”
Professor Susan Jebb, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford University, says: “A poor diet is responsible for tens of thousands of premature deaths every year in the UK. People will be able to use this smartphone technology to swap the foods in their regular shopping basket for healthier options to help themselves and their families to cut their risk of diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.”
Search iTunes and Google Play for ‘FoodSwitch’ or follow the links:
iOs App Store :
https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/foodswitch-india/id1059284559
Android / Google Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/detailsid=com.foodswitch.android
FoodSwitch is available as a free, UK-only download from iTunes and Google Play. FoodSwitch is compatible with Apple mobile devices that have a camera with auto-focus running iOS 5.0 or later, and Android phones running versions 2.3.x, or 4.0.x
Apple, iPhone and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Data is also protected with FoodSwitch - when you access and share information on FoodSwitch, the app will not collect any identifiable data about you.
For For more information contact
● National PR - David Clarke on: 07773 225516, david@rock-pr.com
Video, images, frequently asked questions and more are available on request.
To download the full press release with reference information and images please click on the document below.
FoodSwitch App press release
SEEING PAST THE LABELS [PDF 875KB]